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All 4 of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive books ranked, ahead of Wind and Truth

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As a long-time fan of Brandon Sanderson’s works, I have to say that diving into The Stormlight Archive has been nothing short of a breathtaking journey for me. Each book in this epic series has left me awestruck, with its intricate world-building, compelling characters, and mind-bending plot twists. But among all the books, Words of Radiance stands out as my absolute favorite.

In the upcoming month, author Brandon Sanderson will unveil “Wind and Truth,” the long-awaited fifth installment of his epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. Known for producing top-notch literature, Sanderson has crafted a work with “Wind and Truth” that stands out even among his exceptional body of work.

In the first arc, the storyline concludes with “Wind and Truth,” a moment anticipated to tie up numerous significant storylines. Over 6,000 pages deep into the narrative, we’ll finally discover the outcome of the devastating conflict between Odium’s forces and the Knights Radiant, and learn about the future that awaits beloved characters such as Dalinar, Shallan, and Kaladin Stormblessed.

As a die-hard cinephile with just weeks to go before the release of “Wind and Truth,” I find myself reminiscing about the journey so far through “The Stormlight Archive.” Each installment in this epic series has been a treat, but as fans, we can’t help but rank them according to our personal preferences.

As a devoted reader and enthusiast of epic tales, let me clarify one thing upfront: this exploration will primarily focus on the substantial novels that make up the core of the Stormlight Archive series, excluding any accompanying novellas such as Edgedancer or Dawnshard. It’s crucial to recognize the distinct nature of these shorter stories; they serve more as supplementary material and are absolutely worth diving into, but they shouldn’t be compared directly to the grandiose scope of the main Stormlight books. Today, we’re delving deep into the hearty tomes that form the backbone of this incredible series.

Here comes the order of our list, but be cautious: there are potential spoilers ahead for “The Stormlight Archive,” so tread carefully.

4. Oathbringer

As a die-hard fan of the Stormlight series, if I were to rank them and pick one book that might not resonate as deeply with me as the others, it would be “Oathbringer,” the third installment. This book sits squarely in the middle of the overarching storyline, serving as a bridge between the more conventional epic fantasy feel of the first two novels and the complex, lore-rich segments that follow.

The novel “Oathbringer” is rich with captivating content, notably the flashbacks of Dalinar Kholin that reveal his transformation from the merciless warlord, Blackthorn, to the honorable character encountered in “The Way of Kings.” It also unveils the city of Urithiru, a significant location that later plays a crucial role in “The Stormlight Archive.” This book significantly expands the presence of the Knights Radiant, as they form orders and assert their power under Dalinar’s leadership, while confronting the forces of Odium. Furthermore, the climactic battle at Thaylen Field and the fall of Kholinar are among the most thrilling and action-packed scenes in the entire series.

In my opinion, what slightly diminishes my enjoyment of “Oathbringer” is its writing style. Compared to the other books in “The Stormlight Archive” series by Brandon Sanderson, these are truly masterpieces that showcase his exceptional storytelling abilities, with writing so vivid it seems to leap from the page and polished to a brilliant shine. Unfortunately, “Oathbringer” appears somewhat rushed at times, and its prose isn’t quite as flawless as in the rest of the series. Additionally, being sandwiched between superior material, it ends up ranking last on our list.

3. Rhythm of War

In simpler terms, “Rhythm of War” is the fourth installment of “The Stormlight Archive” series, which sets the stage for the climactic events portrayed in “Wind and Truth.” Among all books in this series, “Rhythm of War” ventures the most, offering a unique twist. This book departs significantly from its predecessors as it explores Roshar’s emerging technologies, mental health, and community-based Knights Radiant development – aspects that are not traditionally found in fantasy literature. Unlike other series, “The Stormlight Archive” lacks Chosen Ones, and this is emphasized profoundly in “Rhythm of War.” Kaladin Stormblessed, Roshar’s strongest warrior, chooses to retire from battle after years of trauma and relentless violence in this book.

In essence, it seems that Kaladin might be planning to retire, at least as far as he is concerned. The core narrative of “Rhythm of War” primarily revolves around the seizure of Urithiru by the forces of Odium led by the Parshendi. Consequently, key characters like Kaladin find themselves in a position where they must wage a covert resistance, while others such as Navani Kholin are taken into captivity. This book is particularly significant for Navani, who evolves from a secondary character to one of paramount importance within the entire series. Her interactions with the Parshendi leader Raboniel and her subsequent exploration of the enigma surrounding Urithiru play a pivotal role in this progression.

In “Rhythm of War,” the unique flashbacks delve into the lives of Eshonai and Venli, two Parshendi sisters. You might recall that Eshonai met her demise in “Words of Radiance.” In this novel, we uncover the transformation in their relationship as the fateful events approached, as well as how Venli navigated the aftermath. Alongside intensely moving tales for Kaladin and Shallan, “Rhythm of War” distinguishes itself from other Stormlight Archive novels with its depth and emotional impact. This book showcases how far Sanderson delved into the hidden complexities of the series, and its exploration of character mental health sets it apart in the epic fantasy genre.

2. The Way of Kings

This epic saga, titled “The Way of Kings“, serves as the foundation. The primary concern in the initial installment of “The Stormlight Archive” lies in its rhythm, which can feel sluggish at times due to Kaladin Stormblessed’s relentless ordeals within a Bridge crew on the battle-scarred Shattered Plains. However, any concerns about pacing are almost insignificant compared to the novel’s numerous merits.

In a more straightforward manner, “The Way of Kings” is remarkably easy to get into among the series books. Although the deep-rooted lore that connects to the broader Cosmere remains present, it plays second fiddle to the compelling narrative of Kaladin’s descent and redemption, Dalinar’s maneuvering through the treacherous Alethi political landscape, and Shallan’s quest to become Jasnah Kholin’s apprentice.

For me, “The Way of Kings” stands out among other books due to its deep exploration of themes, and Sanderson’s ability to delve deeply into his ideas. Leading nobly can be challenging even in favorable conditions, but imagine doing so when the world seems determined to bring you down, when it feels like giving in and betraying everyone is the only option? Each book in “The Stormlight Archive” carries a title derived from an in-world book, and each of these books contains relevant ideas and themes that echo throughout the narrative. However, “The Way of Kings” might be the one that resonates most not just within “The Stormlight Archive,” but also outside of it. This is because its themes are clearer and less entangled in the complex mythology of the series, allowing them to truly shine. It’s a breathtaking book, with an ending that transcends the ordinary and flashbacks that are arguably the most powerful in the series, as we learn why Kaladin initially joined the army before being unfairly deprived of his command and enslaved.

Among all the books in the series, The Way of Kings stands as my favorite, but if not for the pacing concerns I mentioned earlier, it would undoubtedly be number one. However, another masterpiece within the Stormlight Archive series surpasses even that book in perfection…

1. Words of Radiance

As a captivated reader and reviewer, I can confidently assert that “Words of Radiance” is undeniably the pinnacle masterpiece in Brandon Sanderson’s epic series, “The Stormlight Archive.” While its predecessor, “The Way of Kings,” skillfully established an intricate web of mysteries and brought together compelling characters such as Kaladin and Dalinar, “Words of Radiance” delivers even more revelations.

In the opening chapters of “The Stormlight Archive”, a catastrophic event known as the Everstorm was hinted at in the near future, promising to bring about the end of the world. Unlike many other fantasy series where such an event wouldn’t occur until the final book, Brandon Sanderson surprised readers by introducing the Everstorm in “Words of Radiance”, making it a recurring feature sweeping across the land of Roshar. However, that first onslaught of Everstorm turmoil remains a significant and memorable part of the series, filled with crucial moments for every main character introduced prior to this point.

Initially in “The Stormlight Archive”, Szeth-son-son-Vallano was a lethal assassin who targeted Dalinar Kholin; however, by the conclusion of “Words of Radiance”, Szeth fought and lost to Kaladin, resulting in significant changes for him. In this story, Kaladin ascends to lead Dalinar’s elite security detail, known as Bridge Four. The war between humans and Parshendi on the Shattered Plains reached its peak, and the intricate politics among the Alethi also intensified. Despite there being more to come, “Words of Radiance” wraps up numerous plotlines that would have concluded a series for many others. This book significantly alters the course of events in “The Stormlight Archive” and features some of its most memorable scenes yet. If you didn’t cheer at “Honor is dead, but I’ll see what I can do,” then you must lack emotion. And if you didn’t then react strongly when Kaladin carelessly messes up the subsequent triumphant moment, then I commend your self-control.

In my opinion, “Words of Radiance” stands as an extraordinary masterpiece, and I struggle to find any flaws within it. This novel truly embodies the potential greatness that Sanderson’s grand opus could achieve, and while each subsequent book in the series has maintained this high standard in its unique way, none have matched the electrifying heights of “Words of Radiance.” It’s no wonder that this book continues to hold the top rating in the series on Goodreads.

I’ve been eagerly waiting for it, but here’s the exciting news: “Wind and Truth” drops on December 6! This is when Brandon Sanderson will be concluding the initial arc of “The Stormlight Archive,” wrapping up some plotlines that have been going on for quite a while. After this momentous occasion, Sanderson plans to take a break from “Stormlight” to delve into the third era of his “Mistborn” series, pen a “White Sand” novel, and write a sequel to his debut novel, “Elantris.” So, it’s going to be quite a ride!

We’ll be immersing ourselves in the charm of the “Stormlight Archive”, delving into detailed discussions and reviews once “Wind and Truth” is released. If you’re just as eager for this book as we are, don’t forget to come back and engage in our discussion!

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2024-12-01 17:42

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